Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State is announcing the conclusion of the university's seven-year capital campaign, with more than $462 million received in private gifts and pledges.
"State of the Future: The Mississippi State Campaign," which officially closed in December, began with a minimum $400 million goal. That mark was surpassed in late 2007, a full year ahead of schedule.
"Mississippi State is tremendously thankful for the great outpouring of support from alumni and friends over the past few years that made the campaign such a resounding success," said MSU President Mark E. Keenum.
"The investments in scholarships, endowed faculty positions, facilities, and programs already are making this a stronger university and will pay dividends for many years to come," he added.
All outright gifts, pledges and deferred gifts, including those to athletics, were counted in campaign totals. Specifically, State of the Future is making possible:
--$88.2 million for academic scholarships and fellowships;
--$44.6 million for endowed chairs (or professorships);
--$42.7 million for new and renovated facilities;
--$53.3 million for educational and other program enhancements; and
--$233.5 million for college and other annual supports.
In all, nearly 60,000 MSU alumni and friends contributed toward the effort. Of that number, nearly 50 percent were first-time contributors to the land-grant institution.
Keenum said the university's future "is brighter and its ability to provide leadership and service has been substantially strengthened by the generosity of thousands of individuals who recognize and value the contributions the institution makes to Mississippi and the nation."
The campaign began July 1, 2001, with a "silent" phase and was publicly announced in October 2004 with $200 million already committed. The nationwide effort was led by a 15-member steering committee headed by alumnus Richard C. Adkerson of Phoenix, Ariz., president and chief executive officer of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
John P. Rush, vice president for alumni and development, said State of the Future sparked seven of the highest giving years in the university's 131-year history.
"It truly can be said that Mississippi State experienced a tremendous growth of its fundraising efforts during this campaign," he observed.
Among the highlights:
--The single largest financial commitment in MSU history, a $25 million gift from alumnus James Worth Bagley and wife Jean for the engineering college;
--Two other major endowed gifts, including $10 million for an honors college by Bobby and Judy Shackouls and $5 million from Adkerson for the School of Accountancy.
Rush said more than two dozen college or departmental chairs were established throughout the university by separate endowments during the campaign--a 155 percent increase for endowed faculty positions.
Gifts for facilities included the Hunter Henry Center, home of alumni and development activities; a new band and choral rehearsal facility; the Cullis Wade Depot and Welcome Center; the Leo W. Seal Family Business Complex that expanded McCool Hall, home of the College of Business; and, in athletics, the Palmeiro Center indoor training complex.
"The MSU Foundation is extremely pleased the campaign's over-the-top success will help the university advance its goal of joining the ranks of the nation's top 50 public universities," Rush said. "The success also provides a strong impetus to continuing working hard and not be complacent in our fundraising, especially during these challenging economic times."
For more, visit www.msufoundation.com/news/campaign/progress/.
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For additional campaign details, contact Rush at 662-325-9306 or jrush@devalumi.msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.